The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts is offering the Loaves & Fishes Fund, a funding opportunity designed to support liberal, reformed Protestant churches in Hampshire and Franklin counties, Massachusetts. This initiative aims to assist churches that are actively putting their faith into action through innovative and creative religious activities that address human needs within the region. The fund is specifically targeted at projects that integrate religious engagement in ways that foster community support and service.

The Loaves & Fishes Fund provides grants ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 for church-led projects that include religious activities. The grant funding can be used to support projects for up to 24 months, with funds becoming available in May 2025. Eligible churches must have their own IRS-designated 501(c)(3) status, be covered under a group ruling exemption, or meet the IRS's attributes common for churches. Only one application per church will be considered.

The grant follows a two-stage application process. Stage 1 is open to all applicants, and those selected based on alignment with the funding criteria will be invited to proceed to Stage 2. The funding may be used for both direct and indirect project costs, including staffing, materials, equipment, space rental, utilities, and subcontracts. However, funds cannot be used for fundamentalist churches, projects that aim to influence legislation or elections, endowments, facility campaigns, general church operating costs unrelated to the project, or social action efforts without religious activities.

The application timeline is structured as follows: Stage 1 applications open on March 3, 2025, and close on March 17, 2025, at noon EST. Decisions for Stage 1 applicants will be communicated on March 18, 2025, and invited applicants will receive a link to Stage 2 applications the same day. Stage 2 applications are due by April 7, 2025, at noon EST. Final funding decisions will be made by April 28, 2025, and funds for awarded projects will be available starting May 6, 2025.

For churches seeking guidance throughout the application process, the foundation encourages direct contact with their staff. General inquiries about the grant program should be directed to Jeffery Markham, Jr., Senior Program Officer, at jmarkham@communityfoundation.org, while technical assistance questions can be sent to Margaret Everett at meverett@communityfoundation.org. The foundation's main office is located at 333 Bridge Street, Springfield, MA 01103, and can be reached by phone at 413-732-2858.